Advocacy Kit

Florida Needs a Second National Cancer Institute (NCI) Designated Cancer Center.

With an NCI designation, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center can greatly expand Florida's access to cutting-edge cancer research and treatment. Florida currently lacks adequate access to cancer research and treatment for a state of nearly 19 million people.

Florida has only one NCI-designated cancer center to serve its nearly 19 million residents. Other states with populations of 10 million or more have multiple NCI-designated cancer centers: California has 10, New York has six, Pennsylvania has five and Texas has three. South Florida, where a third of the state's population resides, does not have an NCI-designated cancer center.

Nearly 20 percent of South Florida's population is made up of elderly, retired residents who are at a higher risk of developing cancer. And Florida's senior population will continue to grow. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's projections by state for the year 2030, Florida will be one of three states accounting for nearly half (46 percent) of total U.S. population growth between 2000 and 2030 - with an estimated 4,364,000 senior citizens.

A second NCI-designated cancer center would mean greater access to cutting-edge cancer treatment and clinical trials for Florida's most vulnerable populations, including senior citizens and minorities in their home region.

SYLVESTER COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER IS PREPARED TO FILL THE GAP

Sylvester is a regional resource for nearly six million residents from a five-county area in South Florida as well as from the Caribbean and Central and South America. As the only cancer center in the country treating such a diverse population, Sylvester is better able to closely study how cancer relates to race and ethnicity.

Already, Sylvester offers some of the most advanced technologies in cancer treatment, including the NanoKnife -- the first in Florida and one of only a handful in the world. The NanoKnife is a minimally invasive cancer treatment used to treat hard-to-reach tumors at the cellular level.

Although Sylvester has been able to recruit renowned researchers, the lack of laboratory space is becoming a major barrier. With additional funding and a larger commitment from the State of Florida, Sylvester could add to its arsenal by attracting world-class scientists and enhancing its state-of-the-art research and novel treatment options.

GAINING A SECOND NCI-DESIGNATED CANCER CENTER WILL BE A BOOST FOR FLORIDA'S ECONOMY

With an NCI designation, Sylvester could draw a larger pool of top-tier cancer physicians and researchers and their teams who would provide Florida residents with more cutting-edge cancer treatment options. By expanding its research campus, Sylvester also will be investing in the economy - creating new, high-wage jobs.

The new designation would boost Sylvester's research capabilities, creating hundreds of new jobs, while bolstering its reputation and its ability to attract additional private dollars.

The South Florida economy also would benefit from the influx of patients from across the state as well as the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Another important benefit of the NCI designation includes the cancer center's ability to leverage and receive state and federal funding as well as obtain greater access to research grants -- resulting in economic benefits for every dollar invested in the region. The NCI designation will also draw more interest from top pharmaceutical companies and private foundations.

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MIAMI, Fl. - The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center will receive nearly $10 million for continued cancer research as a result of the 2010 Legislative Session. Learn more.

How many people does Sylvester treat? What does National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation mean and how is it achieved? Find the answers on our Frequently Asked Questions page. Learn more.

Florida needs a second National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center. With an NCI designation, Sylvester can expand Florida's access to cutting-edge research and treatment. Learn more.